Erik William Doxtader
1966 – 2025
The Department of English at the University of South Carolina and our entire campus
deeply mourn the loss of our cherished longtime colleague and friend, Erik Doxtader.
Professor of Rhetoric and Editor of Philosophy & Rhetoric, Doxtader was a brilliant scholar and a dedicated teacher and mentor whose impact on his fields and countless students was enormous. He was also an exceptional colleague
and academic citizen. Since joining our faculty in 2007, Erik held multiple leadership
positions in and beyond the department, including as Associate Chair, Director of
our program in Speech Communication and Rhetoric, Founder and Director of the program
in Social Advocacy and Ethical Life, and a fierce champion of these programs and the
department. He also served on major committees at all levels, playing a singular role
in faculty governance, not least in the development of our governing documents and
on Faculty Senate, where his presence was like no other. In all such roles, Erik’s
work was meticulous, deeply principled, exceptionally insightful and effective, and
profoundly committed to protecting faculty, students, staff, and our academic mission.
We will miss and remember his distinct voice, blistering intellect, and unwavering
commitment to our academic community.
To honor Erik’s extraordinary legacy, the Erik Doxtader Memorial Fund for Excellence in Research and Creative Achievement has been set up to support faculty research in the Department of English. Contributions may be made online.